IAPSO Annual Reports

2014 IAPSO Activities

Introduction of IAPSOIAPSO has the prime goal of "promoting the study of scientific problems relating to the oceans and the interactions taking places at the sea floor, coastal, and atmospheric boundaries insofar as such research is conducted by the use of mathematics, physics, and chemistry." IAPSO works mainly through 1) biennial scientific assemblies; 2) working groups; 3) Commissions; 4) Services and 5) website information. Of special importance to IAPSO is to involve scientists and students from developing countries in the activities. IAPSO maintains formal liaison with other scientific commissions and committees. These include the ICSU's Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR), and UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).For more information see http://iapso.iugg.org/

AdministrationThe IAPSO office has been situated at Gothenburg University, Sweden since July 2007, and the day-to-day business has been managed by the Secretary General (SG) Johan Rodhe, Sweden. The Bureau of IAPSO comprises of the President, Eugene Morozov, Russia, the Past President, Lawrence Mysak, Canada, the SG, Johan Rodhe, and the Treasurer, Fred Camfield, USA. The SG has been responsible for the IAPSO website.In 2013, there were three IAPSO business meetings and meeting of the EC during the Assembly in Gothenburg. The other IAPSO discussions were maintained by means of e-mail communication.

Activities2014 was a year between the biennial General assemblies. The main task of the Bureau and the Executive Committee was the planning of the participation in the IUGG2015 FGeneral Assembly in Prague Czech Republic June 22 July 2, 2015. There will be 13 IAPSO only symposia, 5 IAPSO-lead Association-Joint symposia and1 IAPSO-lead Union symposia. In addition IAPSO co-sponsors 6 Joint and 7 Union symposia.

The planning for the Assembly in 2017 has started. It will take place in Cape Town, South Africa. This will be a joint assembly with the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (IAGA) and International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS)

Working groupsSCOR is an important partner of IAPSO, and IAPSO co-finances SCOR working groups of relevance to IAPSO. In 2014 the IAPSO President E. Morozov and SG J. Rodhe participated in the SCOR meeting in Bremen (Germany). The SCOR meetings review the progress of current SCOR working groups, evaluate proposed new WGs, and decide which of them will be funded. A number of international SCOR-related scientific programs were discussed. Details can be found at the SCOR website (www.scor-int.org). IAPSO decided to support financially WG “Chemical Speciation Modelling in Seawater to Meet 21st Century Needs (MARCHEMSPEC)”. The work of this joint SCOR/IAPSO WG will be an important part of the IAPSO activity.Working groups are usually formed of not more than 10 scientists from different countries to deliberate on a narrowly focused topic and report their work in a peer-reviewed publication, book, manual, or database. Working groups are expected to complete their tasks in 4 years or less. Information about SCOR activity and WGs is at the IAPSO webpage.

Prince Albert I MedalIAPSO and Monaco Royal Family established the Prince Albert I Medal for excellence in physical and/or chemical oceanography in honour Prince Albert I. The precursor of IAPSO was established in 1919 thanks to the vision and passion for the oceans of His Most Serene Highness Prince Albert I of Monaco. He became the first President.The year before the biennial assemblies, IAPSO selects a winner of the Prince Albert I Medal. Professor Toshio Yamagata from the Institute for Global Change Research, Tokyo (Japan) was the winner in 2014 in recognition of his fundamental contributions to our knowledge of the ocean physics. The medal will be awarded to him at the IUGG2015 General assembly in Prague, and he will present a memorial lecture.

Eugene LaFond MedalThis Medal, created in honour of Eugene LaFond who was a former SG of IAPSO, is awarded to a scientist from a developing world country for a paper presented at an IAPSO Assembly.